Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our school data, methodology, and how to use PlainSchools.
Where does PlainSchools data come from?
All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data (CCD), the federal government's annual census of all public elementary and secondary schools and school districts in the United States. Current data covers the 2022–23 school year.
Why doesn't PlainSchools rate schools?
School ratings typically compress complex data into a single number that research shows correlates more with neighborhood income than with teaching quality or school effectiveness. We present the underlying data — enrollment, funding levels, student-teacher ratios, and demographics — so you can apply your own priorities.
What is a student-teacher ratio and why does it matter?
The student-teacher ratio is the number of students per full-time-equivalent teacher in a school. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student. PlainSchools calculates this from NCES enrollment and staff headcount data.
What is per-pupil expenditure?
Per-pupil expenditure is the total district spending divided by student enrollment. It is reported at the district level in the NCES F-33 Finance Survey. Higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, but significant underfunding is associated with larger class sizes, fewer resources, and lower teacher pay.
How do I find schools near a specific address?
Use the state and district browsing pages to narrow down by geography. You can also search by school name or district name directly from the homepage. ZIP code and city search is available on the search page.
Does PlainSchools include private or charter schools?
NCES CCD covers all public schools, including public charter schools. Private schools are not included in the Common Core of Data and are therefore not on PlainSchools.
How current is the data?
Current data reflects the 2022–23 school year. NCES releases updated CCD data annually in late fall. We update our database when new data is published.
What do the ethnicity percentages represent?
Ethnicity percentages show the share of enrolled students in each NCES demographic category as reported by the school district. These categories follow federal guidelines: American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White, and Two or more races.